Ontario College Certificate in Blasting Techniques
Start Dates:
May 2023
September 2023
May 2024
- Program Highlights
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
- Why Choose Fleming
- Is this You?
- Career Opportunities
- Program Format
- MANDATORY EQUIPMENT STUDENTS NEED TO PROVIDE/PURCHASE
- MANDATORY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY THE COLLEGE
- TEXTBOOKS REQUIRED
- ADDITIONAL COSTS
- Mature Students
- Minimum Admission Requirements
- Tuition and Fees Detail
- Transfer Agreements
The two-semester Blasting Techniques Ontario College Certificate is the only program of its kind in Canada. This is a highly practical, hands-on program, in a rapidly growing industry.
Program Highlights
Fascinated by the explosives industry? Do you like to work outdoors, and in challenging environments? If so, you may be interested in exploring a career as a blaster. With our well-developed connections with industry and our specialized resources and drilling compound, students get the hands-on training necessary for their career in blasting.
- Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate them to dislodge coal, ore, rock, or aggregate, or to demolish structures.
- Blasters are employed by construction, mining, and drilling and blasting companies, as well as in the special effects industry.
- You will focus on three types of explosive cuts, and incorporate a wide range of skills in science, mathematics, and communications.
- Courses include explosives, blasthole drilling, blasting theory, blast design, geology, safety and accident prevention, and environmental issues.
You will spend much of your time in labs, field classes and field assignments, and refining your skills in our state-of-the-art drilling and blasting training centre.
NEW! Students who start the Blasting Techniques program in May and successfully complete the program, have the option to enter the second semester of the Resources Drilling Technician program in January and complete both programs in a total of 5 semesters (20 months).
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you are an international student, check the information on admission requirements and how to apply at International Education at Fleming
Why Choose Fleming
Fleming's Blasting Techniques certificate has several advantages upon completion:
- You will have common core training as a Surface Miner as required by the Ministry of Labour to enter most blasting sites.
- Upon graduation, you will have the option of certifying with the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) in Quarrying, Basic Construction Blasting, and the Fundamentals of Blasting (Level One).
- Another option upon graduation is to expand your career and job opportunities by continuing at Fleming College in the Resources Drilling Technician diploma program, with direct entry into the program's second semester (subject to availability).
Is this You?
- An enjoyment of working outdoors/ hands-on work
- Good motor skills
- Physical health
- Flexibility (particularly regarding hours of work)
- Communication/interpersonal skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Ability to plan and organize activities
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to work independently
- Computer skills
Career Opportunities
Job opportunities are very good across many sectors and several provinces, including Ontario. With many blasters nearing retirement, there is an urgent need to replace these skilled individuals. Job titles include construction blaster, openpit blaster, and surface mining blaster. Blasters work closely with drillers and often perform both drilling and blasting activities. The annual salary range for a blaster/driller is $35,000 - $62,000, depending upon experience and certification. Fully qualified surface blasters make up to $40.00 per hour. Blasting assistants earn $18 - $25 per hour at the entry level. There are good opportunities for career advancement in this field with training and experience. Specialized areas of blasting such as underground blasting have higher pay scales.
Program Format
Blasting Techniques is a two-semester program. Students who start in September complete first semester in December, start second semester in January and complete the program in late April. Students who start in May complete first semester in August, begin second semester in September and complete the program in December.
Blasting Techniques graduates who choose to continue their studies in the Resources Drilling Technician program start semester two of this program in either May or January.
Please note: Students will be required to submit a Criminal Reference Check to attend the program.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT STUDENTS NEED TO PROVIDE/PURCHASE
- Vest or jacket (detachable hood only) with CSA approved Class 3 reflective striping on orange background
- Overalls or coveralls with CSA approved Class 3 reflective striping on orange background
- CSA approved 8″ (minimum) work boots
- Work gloves
- Pocket knife
- Pocket note book
- Pencils
- Tape measure (with both metric and imperial units)
- Watch or other time keeping device
- Calculator
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY THE COLLEGE
These costs are included in student’s tuition/fees:
- CSA approved Class E hard hat
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
TEXTBOOKS REQUIRED
- Blasters’ Handbook, 18th Edition, ISEE - $312.50 (1st semester)
- Practical Blasting Fundamentals Level 1, ISEE - $276.25 (2nd semester)
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Approximate costs for extra courses that are optional but recommended:
- WHIMIS: $30.39 (online)
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods: $117.24 (Frost)
- First Aid: $117.92 + textbook (Frost)
- Working at Heights: $186.48 (Skilled Trades Certification)
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/Stick): $263.52 (Skilled Trades Course)
- H2S (Hydrogen Sulphide Safety): $200
- DZ License: $995 Ontario Truck Training Academy OTTA
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Blasting Techniques must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD with majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level including Gr 12 (E)English
Where Workplace level courses are listed, C, U and M courses will be accepted.
For programs requiring a majority of credits at the Workplace level, OLC4O will be counted as an acceptable English course.
Tuition and Fees Detail
Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition and Fees Details Chart below.
View complete tuition and fees details
Domestic Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.93 |
| Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| Career Services | $14.25 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $65.17 |
| Health Plan | $149.10 |
| Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $66.30 |
| Program Supply Fee | $87.00 |
| Provincial Advocacy | $2.70 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
| Student Association Governance | $27.47 |
| Student Association Pub | $11.41 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.91 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $59.50 |
| Student Building Fund | $44.70 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $3,252.51 |
| Total | $4,055.86 |
International Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Academic Supports | $28.93 |
| Alumni Fee | $18.24 |
| Athletics and Recreation | $64.63 |
| Career Services | $14.25 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.30 |
| Health & Counselling | $65.17 |
| Information Technology Fee | $105.93 |
| International Health Plan | $367.47 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $66.30 |
| Program Supply Fee | $87.00 |
| Provincial Advocacy | $2.70 |
| Student Achievement & Records | $12.26 |
| Student Association Governance | $27.47 |
| Student Association Pub | $11.41 |
| Student Association Student Experience | $17.91 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.55 |
| Student Building Fee | $59.50 |
| Student Building Fund | $44.70 |
| Student One Card Fee | $10.00 |
| Tuition | $8,843.40 |
| Total | $9,865.12 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for international students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | $880.74 | $365.00 | September to December |
| Winter | $807.79 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $367.47 | $142.35 | May to August |
Transfer Agreements
You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
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